Cork Buoy! | Ireland’s first floating hotel could open this summer

A unique hotel experience could be on the cards for Cork this summer. Plans for Ireland’s first floating hotel have been lodged to bring this exciting new venture to the Cork Quays.

My Story The luxury cruise ship set to be Ireland’s first floating hotel

The Dublin based company Sick & Sore Ltd has lodged plans with Cork City Council planning office to permanently moor a 100m luxury cruise vessel at Penrose Quay near the Custom House, adjacent to Michael Collins Bridge.

Sick & Sore is headed up by Sam Corbett who has previously been involved with other successful maritime projects including acquiring the Cork based vessel Cill Áirne which now operates on Dublin’s North Wall Quay as a restaurant.

The company have secured the €1.75m ship My Story which they plan to turn into a four star floating hotel. The 105m long cruise ship was built in 1971 and boasts 87 cabins, three decks, a large panorama restaurant, several lounges and sun deck complete with swimming pool. It’s current home port is Rotterdam and it has previously operated on the Rhine and Danube offering luxury cruises.

These types of floating hotels and restaurant ships have been quite successful in many major European riverfront cities, and Corbett hopes that this venture could enhance the recreational and leisure amenities of Cork City.

A planning decision from Cork City Council is expected in late February and pending the outcome they hope the hotel could be operational by August.